The school occupies an ideal area between 20,000 and 30,000 square meters. This scale fosters spatial ambiguity without compromising traffic efficiency. Our consistent design approach focuses on creating spatial transparency through overlapping relationships, catering to the diverse needs of students’ daily lives.
1. The Entrance Grey Space
The entrance grey space serves multiple functions: it acts as the school’s entrance plaza, a ground-floor classroom activity area, an extension of the indoor gymnasium, a transition zone for second-floor circulation, an open library, and a gathering spot for students. This layering of uses creates spatial redundancy, making the entrance’s definition intentionally ambiguous. It functions as a multifunctional hall—not only facilitating movement but also hosting exhibitions, events, and social interactions.
2. Central Gymnasium as Public Space
The gymnasium is uniquely positioned at the center of the school, emphasizing its role as a public space. Its cross-sectional design lowers the court floor to -3 meters, enhancing interaction between the entrance area and the gym. Activities inside become part of the school’s visual experience. Additionally, the gym connects seamlessly with the underground garage, creating a welcoming area for student drop-off and pick-up. Skylights not only illuminate the gymnasium but also introduce dynamic lighting effects throughout the day.
3. Rooftop Three-Dimensional Climbing Platform
A multi-level climbing platform on the roof, covering the gymnasium and entrance grey space below, serves as a playground for older students. Break times include a designated ten-minute activity period for each grade. The roof terraces slope inward from the center, naturally forming a western observation deck overlooking the landscape and an eastern grandstand facing the city. These connections to the external environment become memorable experiences for students.
4. Integration of Gymnasium and Corridors
The large side corridor adjoining the central gymnasium eliminates the restrictive 25-meter spacing standard typically imposed in schools. This design choice fosters a strong sense of unity and presents varied spatial qualities beyond conventional standards. The distance between the north-south classrooms and the gym becomes a sunlit gap, while the side corridors transform into vibrant, atrium-like spaces. The school avoids monotonous, standardized monitoring zones and reduces uninviting north-south traffic corridors, enhancing the overall cohesion of the campus.
5. Courtyard Spaces
The small courtyard, cafeteria, auditorium, and entrance ramps wrap around the central core of the building, creating a tranquil courtyard. This space distinguishes the central area of the school and offers students more varied spatial experiences on campus.
6. Façade Design
The Wenqi Road Primary School continues our consistent approach of expressing internal spatial qualities through its façade. The combination of spatial elements establishes a dynamic relationship between virtual and real forms on the exterior. Technical craftsmanship in construction details enhances the building’s character. The façade strongly reflects the sectional architecture along the building’s east-west axis, with the staggered balconies on the north and south classroom wings becoming a distinctive feature.
Based on the concept of relational redundancy, Wenqi Road Primary School features a complex spatial layout. We believe that school buildings should not be standardized, machine-like products but rather serve as vessels that catalyze limitless future possibilities.
Project Drawings
△ Analysis chart
△ Analysis chart
Project Information
Architect: Rong Chaohui Studio
Area: 23,538 m²
Year: 2023
Photographer: Hou Bowen
Lead Designer: Rong Chaohui
Design Team: Wang Xuefeng, Zhao Jingming, Huang Yudi, Li Jing, Liu Yongping, Zhou Xiaping, Chen Zhenwei, Liu Jingxi, Chen Gang, Su Pengcheng, Qian Wei; Interior: Zhang Ting, Meilihua; Landscape: Wang Jintao
Client: Education Bureau of Jiangning District, Nanjing
Location: Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
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